Cameroon Likely To Present Few, Minimally Influential Roles For Non-State Actors, Exclusive To Those Willing To Engage In Unlawful Practices
Executive Summary:
Due to rampant corruption centralized in the civil service, strong authoritarian governance characterized by nepotism and cronyism, and persecution of political dissidents Cameroon is likely to present few, minimally influential roles for non-state actors (NSA), exclusive to those willing to engage in unlawful practices. In the likely case that the ruling powers continue to maintain their authoritarian grip after the 2011 elections the role of NSA are likely to remain stagnant over the next five years.
Discussion:
At first look, Cameroon has a comparatively stable and peaceful history for African countries. However, earlier problems with corruption and unlawful practices was exacerbated by severe civil service pay cuts (75%) in 1993 and a devaluation of the Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) franc in 1994 that further reduce the value of wages by 50%. These events made bribery and extortion an endemic part of nearly every political, financial, and social transaction within Cameroon’s borders. The Heritage Foundation reports that Cameroon economy is fairly free from government (86.5% free); however, it is only 22% free from corruption. Unlawful business related non-state actors are the most likely to have a role in the Cameroonian sociopolitical climate. “Many foreign and domestic companies complain about the process of enforcing their property rights... where rulings have been in favor of a company, there has been a lack of enforcement of court orders due to corruption.” In general there is no significant ethnic or ideological collective to support activist or insurgent based NSA. President Paul Biya is to step down in 2011; however, it is likely that the current ruling elites will maintain their dominance over Cameroonian governance.
Cameroon Likely To Present Few, Minimally Influential Roles For Non-State Actors, Exclusive To Those Willing To Engage In Unlawful Practices
Executive Summary:
Due to rampant corruption centralized in the civil service, strong authoritarian governance characterized by nepotism and cronyism, and persecution of
Discussion:
At first look, Cameroon has a comparatively stable and peaceful history for African countries. However, earlier problems with corruption and unlawful practices was exacerbated by severe civil service pay cuts (75%) in 1993 and a devaluation of the Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) franc in 1994 that further reduce the value of wages by 50%. These events made bribery and extortion an endemic part of nearly every political, financial, and social transaction within Cameroon’s borders. The Heritage Foundation reports that Cameroon economy is fairly free from government (86.5% free); however, it is only 22% free from corruption. Unlawful business related non-state actors are the most likely to have a role in the Cameroonian sociopolitical climate. “Many foreign and domestic companies complain about the process of enforcing their property rights... where rulings have been in favor of a company, there has been a lack of enforcement of court orders due to corruption.” In general there is no significant ethnic or ideological collective to support activist or insurgent based NSA. President Paul Biya is to step down in 2011; however, it is likely that the current ruling elites will maintain their dominance over Cameroonian governance.Analytic Confidence: 7
Source Reliability: 8
Business Anti-Corruption Portal: Cameroon Country Study